New Port Richey police, responding to the Royal Palm Inn, 6523 U.S. 19 N, around 11:52 p.m., found the unidentified victim on the ground near the front office of the hotel with a stab wound above his heart. Police applied pressure to the wound until emergency crews responded.

Police then located his girlfriend, 26-year-old Paula Brandt, and a witness outside a hotel room. Brandt had blood on her hands, arms, face and clothing, according to police.

A search warrant was signed and police located a bloody knife on the floor behind the door.

Brandt refused to answer questions or make any statements, police said.

While an officer interviewed the witness, Brandt, who was handcuffed, spit in the officer's face.

The victim identified Brandt as his live-in girlfriend and said she stabbed him during an argument, police said. His statement was confirmed by the witness who was in the hotel room when the incident unfolded.

He was transported to Regional Medical Center Bayonet Point. He suffered a collapsed lung and was listed in serious but stable condition.

Brandt faces charges of attempted murder and battery on a law enforcement officer.

There is a reason why the air in Tampa Bay is filled with playoff talk. If Thursday night's 12-8 Bucs preseason win over the Jaguars is any indication, it's also going to be filled with footballs thrown by quarterback Jameis Winston.